Hose-handling apparatus,self-propelled,with horizontal drum



May 27, 1969 s. I INDERMAN 3,446,235

H HORIZONTAL DRUM HOSE-HANDLING APPARATUS, SELF-PROPELLED WIT .Sheet Filed June l5. 1966 May 27, 1969 S. LINDERMAN HOSEHANDLING APPARATUS, SELF-PROPELLED, WITH HORIZONTAL Ufff-JM Filed .June 13. 1966 v IIII ll! IHlIIHl Shaynf dcr/,nain

INVENToR,

May 27, 1969 s. LINDERMAN 3,446,235

HOSE-HANDLING APPARATUS, SELF-PROFELLED, WITH HORIZONTAL DRUM Filed June 15, 196s sheet .9 of 5 United States Patent O 3,446,235 HOSE-HANDLING APPARATUS, SELF-PRO- PELLED, WITH HORIZONTAL DRUM Shayne Linderman, Clementsville, Idaho (Newdale, Idaho 83436) Filed June 13, 1966, Ser. No. 557,316 Int. Cl. B601) 3/30 U.S. Cl. 137-344 10 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE An apparatus for winding and unwinding hose, including a frame with `drum means on it and guide means for lifting the hose from the ground including cantilever means which consists of a truss structure pivotally connected to the apparatus and ram means operatively connected to the structure to raise and lower it.

The present invention relates to improvements in hose reel apparatus and more particularly to a hose reel apparatus that is self propelled.

In accordance with the present invention, a machine that is self propelled is provided for picking up, transporting and placing irrigation hoses again onto the ground at any desired location and position.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a hose handling machine of large proportions so that it is capable of carrying its operator and power equipment as well as the special devices for handling the hoses which are of large capacity and of great length.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a large hose handling machine that is comparatively simple to operate and maintain and manufacture, and in which the self propelled vehicle has a frame which is high enough to pass over most crops.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a hose reel apparatus having front wheel steering means that are separately operated by hydraulic motor means and controlled through separate valve means by the operator and which are of the castor type.

It is another object of the present invention to provide front wheel means for the hose reel apparatus of the present invention in which the front wheel means are provided with pivot means to permit them to tilt separately so as to compensate for uneven terrain.

It is another object of the present invention to provide hose reel apparatus having cover means that are disposed over the engine and associated equipment upon which the hose being reeled in or out may slide so as not to interfere with or damage the engine or other equipment.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a hose reeling apparatus having a powered horizontal drum mounted on the vehicle frame for winding and unwinding the irrigation hose therefrom.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a hose reel apparatus having winding guide means powered by rotation of the hose reel drum provided with a shaft with a left and a right hand thread thereon and an anti-torque rod means with a carriage containing a follower that follows the grooves of the threads in a reciprocating manner taking the carriage and hose from one end of the drum to the other.

It is another object of the present invention to provide sheave means on the frame to properly guide the flexible hose being reeled and unwound from the drum means.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a hose reel apparatus provided with advance guide means disposed adjacent the forward end of the vehicle for properly guiding the hose and the water risers from the terrain as the hose is reeled in.

It is another object of the present invention to provide cantilever guide means that can be raised and lowered adjacent the front end of the apparatus so as to properly guide the hose and the water risers as they are taken in or unreeled and disposed on the terrain.

It is yet another object of the preset invention to provide means for maintaining the cable means utilized in the present invention properly tensioned or taut so that the hose may be properly reeled in and the water risers can be properly disconnected to detached from the hose.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide hose reeling apparatus that is provided with means for raising water risers above the irrigation hose with which they are connected as desired so that they can be readily disconnected from the hose.

Various other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view illustrating the hose handling apparatus embodying the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a top plane view of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational View partly in section taken along the line 3 3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view taken in the direction of the arrows 4 4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a detail view of a water riser shown connected to the irrigation hose and properly disposed on the terrain during operation with the hose inflated and water pressure;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged detail View of the front end of the apparatus illustrating the method of reeling in the hose and the water risers attached thereto;

FIGURE 7 is a view taken along the line 7 7 of FIG- URE 6, and

FIGURE 8 is a detail view taken along the line 8 8 of FIGURE 1 showing the hose being reeled in when it is deflated and emptied of water.

Referring to the drawings the reference numeral 10 generally designates a hose reeling apparatus comprising a substantially horizontal frame 12 having a rear upper horizontal portion 16 and a front lower horizontal portion 18 between which is an inclined portion 20.

The apparatus is self propelled and is provided with large rear Wheels 22 and small front wheels 24. The drive is through the rear wheels 22 and each rear wheel is separately driven by a hydraulic motor 26 and sprocket chain drive 28 of well known construction. The provision of the separate drive enables the vehicle to be readily turned in any direction as desired.

Disposed between the rear wheels is a hose reel drum 30 which extends in a horizontal direction and is rotated by a hydraulic motor 32 and sprocket chain drive 36 of well known construction.

Referring to FIGURES 2 to v4 it will be noted that the apparatus is provided with a winding guide means 38 adjacent the for-ward end of the drum 30, and disposed on the platform for guiding the hose as it is reeled onto or unwound from the drum 30. The winding guide means is provided with a horizontal and transversely extending shaft 40 which is rotatably driven by a sprocket chain 42 operatively connected to the drum axle 44 and a gear 46 on the shaft 40.

The transverse rotary shaft, as best seen in FIGURE 2, is externally screw threaded to form both right and left hand threads. The shaft 40 carries a sleeve or carriage 48 thereon adapted to slide back and forth in a transversely reciprocating movement in timed relation with the revolution of the hose reel so as to automatically guide the hose in proper winding convolutions on the reel. The winding guide means 38 is provided with a torque rod S0 which extends transversely of the frame 12 as best seen inFIGURE 2 and carries a sleeve 52 thereon forming part of the sleeve or carriage `48. Two inclined shafts 54 are also carried on this winding guide means 3S and each shaft l54 is provided with a sheave or roller 56. The pair of rollers 56 are spaced from each other so as to form a guide way for hose 58 being reeled onto the drum or being removed therefrom.

The provision of the winding guide means 38 permits the structure to slide back and forth in a transversely reciprocating movement in timed relation with the revolution of the drum 30 so as to automatically guide the hose into its proper winding convolutions.

Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2 it will be noted that the front caster wheels 24 are secured to a transverse front beam 60 so as to pivot in a vertical direction thereabout. IIn addition the casters are further secured to the cross beam 60 by horizontally extending pivot pins 62 so that the wheels can pivot about a longitudinal axis to compensate for uneven terrain that the vehicle passes over.

The main propulsion unit is generally designated 66 and is disposed on the lower portion 18 of the frame and within a housing or cover 64. The main propulsion unit 66 is suitably and operatively connected to the various hydraulic pumps by any well known means not forming part of the present invention. :It will be noted that the cover or housing `6-4 prevents the hose '58 from becoming entangled in the unit disposed thereunder.

The forward end of the lower platform 18 is provided with a roller guide means `68 comprising a horizontally extending elongated roller or sleeve roller 72 disposed on a support 74 so that the hose can be fed over the top of the roller as best seen in FIGURES 1 and 2.

Disposed forwardly of the sleeve roller 72 is a pair of sheaves or rollers 76 supported on upstanding brackets 78 which brackets are secured to the frame. The rollers 76 are disposed in spaced relationship with one another so as to lead and guide the hose 58 therebetween as it passes to the rearward rollers 56 or from the rearward rollers 56 as already described.

The front end of the platform is provided with a cantilever structure generally designated 80 that is pivotally connected at 82 to the central projecting portion 84 of the frame. This cantilever structure consists of a plurality of cross braces and diagonal members forming a truss that tapers down at its forward end so as to form a substantially triangular structure. The front lower end of this structure 80 is further provided with a runner member or snout slide 86 for disposal on the terrain. The cantilever structure 80 has a configuration which allows the hose to be fed therebetween and further has two spaced rails or guides 88, as best seen in FIGUR-E 6 disposed on the top of the structure in order to permit the water risers 90 to slide thereon. The water riser or sprinklers 90 are provided with feet 92 adapted to slide on the guide rails 88.

The position of the structure 80 is controlled by two cables 94 attached at 96 to the rearward end of the structure 80. The two cables 94 in turn are connected to a cross bar 98 which is operatively connected to a hydraulic ram or cylinder .100 which is pivotally connected by any suitable means to the front portion 18 of the frame.

Referring to FIGURE i1 it will be seen that the hydraulic ram or cylinder 100 can be actuated so as to raise and lower the cantilever structure 80 through the cable connection.

The ltwo sleeves 102 are secured by any suitable means to the roller support 74 as best seen in FIGURE 1, and it will be noted that the tubes have a substantially horizontally extending rearward portion and an inclined forward portion.

When it is desired to reel in the hose from the position shown in FIGURES and 6, at which time the hose is inflated and under water pressure, the-water is first turned off and the hose is properly secured to the drum 30. Thereafter the cantilever structure is disposed in its lowermost position, as shown in FIGURE 6 by operating the ram so as to extend it to its full length and position the structure 80 against the terrain. Then as the reel is operated in order to reel in the hose the cylinder 100 is maintained at a proper position so as to maintain the cables taut and to permit the risers to slide upwardly from the position shown in FIGURE 6 at which time their feet are below the hose '58, so as to progressively raise the riser feet above the hose and into the position shown in the left side of FIGURE 6. This enables the riser to be easily detached from the hose and to be properly positioned in a storage place indicated at 10'4 on the platform 12.

At this time the hose 58 is guide between the rollers 76 and the rollers S6 and the winding guide means 38 is reciprocated in a transverse direction so that the hose is properly wound on the drum.

When it is desired to unreel the hose and to place it in an irrigating position on the terrain, the same procedure is followed and the hose is fed out from between the rollers 56 and the rollers 76 and the cantilever structure 80 is utilized to insure the risers being disposed on the terrain in a vertical position as the hose is unreeled.

lReferring to the water riser 90, it will be noted that this water sprinkler comprises a vertical central water tube `93 on which is disposed a tubular sleeve 95 for sliding up and down the tube 93. Sleeve is supported by four leg members 97 extending diagonally downwardly and outwardly as indicated at 99 and terminating in the horizontal leg portions 101. These leg portions I101 are secured to the feet 92 which slide on rails or guides 88. It will be noted that there are two feet 92, as best seen in FIGURE 2 which are elongated horizontal plates secured to the two leg members disposed on the same side of the central tube 93. Tube 93 is connected to connection -103 on the hose by ange 105.

This water riser holds the hose upright at all times and rides on the hose when the hose is lifted, until it gets to the rails 88. It then slides on the rails onto the main body of the hose handling apparatus and at the same time the feet 92 rise above the hose in order to clear the sheave roller 76 for removal with the riser from the hose. The risers are usually spaced about 60 feet apart in the hose. The riser support leg members and structure can be replaced on the hose with the riser while still on the vehicle, and then slide on the trails, then ride on the hose itself until it touches the ground in proper position for holding the riser upright, for sprinkling without further handling by hand. The riser structure straddles the irrigation hose and slides up and down the riser center tube 93.

From the present invention and the foregoing description, it is apparent that the hose handling apparatus embodied in this invention permits heavy and lengthy amounts of irrigation hose and the like to be reeled and unreeled from the drum, and to be moved from one place to another place when it is desired to irrigate another portion of a field, and with a minimum amount of effort and time consumed.

Inasmuch as various changes may be made in the relative arrangement and location of the parts without departing from the scope of the invention, it is not meant to limit the invention except by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A hose handling apparatus for winding and unwinding hoseand the like comprising a frame with rotatable drum means thereon and hose guide means for lifting the hose from the ground including pivotal cantilever means, and means for pivoting said cantilever means to a predetermined position, said hose guide means including a first pair of spaced roller means disposed adjacent the front side of said rotatable drum means, and a second pair of spaced roller means disposed forward of said rst roller means, and rearwardly of said cantilever means, said cantilever means including a truss structure pivoted adjacent its rear end to the front end of said frame, and said pivoting means including ram means secured to said frame and operatively connected to the rear end of said cantilever structure.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said ram means includes a cylinder and piston and a cross bar, and cable means connected at one end to said cross bar and at its other end to said cantilever structure.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said frame is provided wheel means including castor wheels pivotally connected by a longitudinal pin to said frame.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said frame comprises a lower front portion and a higher front portion, and an inclined portion therebetween, and cover means are disposed adjacent the rear portion of said lower front portion for protecting propulsion equipment therein.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cantilever structure has spaced guide rails thereon for receiving water risers attached to the hose being handled.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein horizontal roller means are disposed rearwardly of and adjacent said second pair of roller means for receiving hose after it has passed from said second pair of roller means.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein a right and left hand horizontal shaft and a torque rod is provided for carrying said rst roller means to feed hose convolutions onto and off of said drum means.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said truss structure has two spaced triangular portions with a guide rail disposed on each portion for providing a slide for a water riser.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein said pivot means consist of pin members, and said guide rails are two spaced plates secured to the top of said triangular portions.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein a snout slide is secured to each of said triangular portions and consist of a looped member extending below the front end of the triangular portions.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 726,580 4/1903 Shannon 137-344 XR 1,658,202 2/1928 Jones 239-189 XR 1,714,713 5/1929 Farley 239-189 2,595,655 5/1952 Hannay 242-1582 XR 2,712,198 7/1955 Smith 137-344 2,735,717 2/1956 Hartman 242-865 XR 3,241,769 3/1966 Allen et al 239-212 XR 3,291,256 12/1966 Eitel 242-865 XR 3,317,049 5/1967 Petretti 137-349 XR 3,325,118 6/1967 Hall 242-865 3,346,213 10/1967 Nelson 242-862 SAMUEL SCOTT, Primary Examiner. 

